OT - Auto transportation

#1 09-21-2002, 09:41 AM

I am about to add to my collection of cars. (Currently a collection of 1 SVX) I am getting my mothers '79 Fiat Spider 2000 Conv. It has approx 35000 original miles. The trick is I have to get it from Peoria Il to Florida. Has anyone had experience with this type of transport. I'd like to fly up and bring it back with me. I just don't know enough about the reliability of this car to drive it back. Uhaul lists over $1200 for the equip to "tow" it back myself.

Any advice?

Randy ii

Landshark · #2 09-21-2002, 10:15 AM

i can tell you who NOT to use - the one that just transported my uncle's truck. gave him grief after they already agreed upon the price, many hassles, supposed to get here Sept 6, arrived yesterday. i find out who that was so you can avoid them like the plague!

Beav · #3 09-21-2002, 06:18 PM

I just sold my spider last summer. I had it for 13 years and never had a problem, let alone a debilitating one. Like any car it depends on how it has been maintained. Fiats pretty much operate on the 'if we say to do this at xxx miles, we mean it!" (pretty much the standard for european cars, IMHO)

You could have it serviced before picking it up. Main items are typical - filters, oil and anti-freeze, t-belt (oh yeah baby, they are definitely interference engines

) check the battery and alternator and re-pack the front wheel bearings.

Yeah, yeah..."Fix It Again, Tony!", "Friggin' Italian Attempted Transportation", etc. will be heard on a daily basis once you take possession.

I just hope it never saw a bit of winter in Illinois, if so the salt will have in tiny pieces. That's Fiat's main weakness - rust.

Ron Mummert · #4 09-21-2002, 08:20 PM

Randy, did mom drive this car regularly, (albeit not far!), or has it been dry rotting in the yard for 10 years? If the latter, flat-bed it. Better yet, get it crushed. However, if it's the typical semi-elderly lady driven 5-speed sports car, only auto-crossed during sunny weekend meets, then drive it home. I had the same car, like Beav, only eleven years older, coupe version, & drove it with no problems for 4 years & 88K 'til red dust disease doomed it. Hopefully, by '79 Tony got the olive oil to stick, & repel the rust.
I'd replace all the cheap rubber parts, put the top down, & proudly head south. Enjoy!

Ron.

Trevor · #5 09-21-2002, 08:39 PM

I also had one and it was imported second hand from California and converted locally to RH drive. No rust at all but take Beav's advice they do rust in adverse conditions. They are a good car of their type in every respect and I purchased mine in preference to an Alfa.

#6 09-21-2002, 08:44 PM

It's been driven only occasionally for the past 1.5 years. My brother is the caretaker at this time. As far as the driving habits she drove it conservatively and typically back and forth to the grocery store. Hence the low mileage. I know that up until about 6 years ago it was well maintained. Beyond that it's a mystery. I'm considering flying up, having it checked and serviced, and trying to drive it back. I figure that, if it's going to cost $1000 - $1500 to get it here then I'd rather put that money toward repairs to the vehicle.

This car has a timing belt? I would have thought it to be a chain.

I'm still bouncing it around in "ma head". I don't want to spend too much at this time as it would be money taken from the SVX. I and just can't have that!

Thanks for the advice,
Randy ii

Ron Mummert · #7 09-21-2002, 09:15 PM

This car has a timing belt? I would have thought it to be a chain.

I'm still bouncing it around in "ma head". I don't want to spend too much at this time as it would be money taken from the SVX. I and just can't have that!

Thanks for the advice,
Randy ii [/B][/QUOTE]

It's a belt, but I don't remember what the change interval was. (60K I think). Nonetheless I'd have it replaced, along with the radiator hoses, etc. before the trip back to Florida.
It's a "fun" car, Randy. Think Miata with iron oxide.
Ron.

#8 09-22-2002, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ron Mummert

It's a "fun" car, Randy. Think Miata with iron oxide.
Ron.

Ron,

Iron Oxide (checking periodic tables and heavy metal indexes).......lMAO!

Thanks Ron,

Randy ii

#9 09-22-2002, 08:23 PM

Speaking of rust, what can I put on underneath my SVX to prevent rust? I figure waxing the car would help prevent rust on the body but what about underneath the car? How about Linseed oil? My car doesn't seem to have any rust yet(orginally from Arizona) and I want to keep it that way the best I can(or aleast do my best to slow it down once it starts)

Beav · #10 09-22-2002, 10:06 PM

The best way is to move to a state that doesn't allow salt to be spread on the roads.

mattski · #11 09-23-2002, 06:59 AM

I had a 74 Fiat 128 3P. Perhaps it was the New Jersey winters and salt, but every repair involved sheared off bolts. It seemed like they made them from aluminium. The only good thing about this car was that it forced me to learn the basics of auto repairs.

I hope that I am wrong but this has the potential of becoming a "money pit".